Notts: Landlords urged to act now on new fire laws

Landlords across Notts are being urged to act now to ensure they are ready for new safety laws aimed at saving dozens of lives a year.

People living in rented or shared accommodation are apparently seven times more likely to have a fire according to research from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

These new laws, which are expected to come into effect from October, will require landlords to ensure the fire safety of their tenants as well as offering protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

The new safety regulations will make it compulsory for all landlords to: Fit at least one smoke alarm on each floor of their premises; Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms containing a solid fuel appliance; Check that all alarms are working when a new tenancy starts - with potential penalties of up to £5,000 if they don’t comply.

To help landlords prepare for the new regulations the Government has provided Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) with a limited number of free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to give out to relevant landlords.